Chapter 5: The Man in## Chapter 5: The Man in the Hospital Room the Hospital Room
Richard didn't recognize the sound of his own voice
Richard didn't recognize the sound of his own voice when he spoke.
“My when he spoke.
“My company's security badge?””
Vanessa nodded, clutching the phone against her chest.
“The badge had your company's name on it. I company's security badge?””
Vanessa nodded, clutching the phone against her chest.
“The badge had your company's name on it. I remember because I asked Thomas why someone from Whitmore Hospitality was visiting Evelyn remember because I asked Thomas why someone from Whitmore Hospitality was visiting Evelyn.””
Richard stared at her.
“Whitmore Hospitality didn't have anything to do with James's family.””
“I.””
Richard stared at her.
“Whitmore Hospitality didn't have anything to do with James's family.””
“I know that now.””
“No. You need to understand what you're saying. If one of our employees was know that now.””
“No. You need to understand what you're saying. If one of our employees was at that hospital, I need to know who it was.””
“I never at that hospital, I need to know who it was.””
“I never saw his face clearly.””
“Then describe him.””
Vanessa closed her eyes, forcing herself to remember.
“He was tall saw his face clearly.””
“Then describe him.””
Vanessa closed her eyes, forcing herself to remember.
“He was tall. Maybe six feet. Dark suit.
Black leather shoes. He had a silver watch and a scar near his left ear.””
Martin. Maybe six feet. Dark suit.
Black leather shoes. He had a silver watch and a scar near his left ear.””
Martin stopped typing on his phone.
“Did he speak to you?””
“Not directly. stopped typing on his phone.
“Did he speak to you?””
“Not directly. When I entered the room, he stepped into the hallway. Thomas introduced him as someone helping with the paperwork When I entered the room, he stepped into the hallway. Thomas introduced him as someone helping with the paperwork.””
“What paperwork?”” Richard demanded.
“I didn't ask.””
Richard let.””
“What paperwork?”” Richard demanded.
“I didn't ask.””
Richard let out a sharp breath.
“Of course you didn't.””
Vanessa flinched.
“I was frightened, out a sharp breath.
“Of course you didn't.””
Vanessa flinched.
“I was frightened, Richard. I had just watched a dying woman ask me to protect her son, and her brother Richard. I had just watched a dying woman ask me to protect her son, and her brother was telling me to stay out of it. I didn't know what to believe.””
“You could have told James.””
“I know.””
“You could have told me.””
“I know!””
was telling me to stay out of it. I didn't know what to believe.””
“You could have told James.””
“I know.””
“You could have told me.””
“I know!””
Her voice broke.
For a moment, Richard saw the woman he had married,Her voice broke.
For a moment, Richard saw the woman he had married, stripped of her usual confidence and expensive composure. She looked frightened, exhausted, and painfully stripped of her usual confidence and expensive composure. She looked frightened, exhausted, and painfully aware that her decisions had consequences she could no longer control.
But sympathy wasn't the same as trust.
Richard turned aware that her decisions had consequences she could no longer control.
But sympathy wasn't the same as trust.
Richard turned toward Martin.
“Find every security employee who worked for us toward Martin.
“Find every security employee who worked for us eight years ago. Anyone who left, anyone who was dismissed, anyone whose records were altered.””
Martin nodded.
“That's eight years ago. Anyone who left, anyone who was dismissed, anyone whose records were altered.””
Martin nodded.
“That's a substantial list.””
“Then start with the people who had access to executive security credentials.””
Martin opened his laptop.
“And the hospital?””
“Get a substantial list.””
“Then start with the people who had access to executive security credentials.””
Martin opened his laptop.
“And the hospital?””
“Get the name of every person who was assigned to Evelyn Carter's floor the name of every person who was assigned to Evelyn Carter's floor that night.””
Vanessa looked up.
“Richard, the hospital may not release those records.””
“Then Daniel can handle it legally.””
“And that night.””
Vanessa looked up.
“Richard, the hospital may not release those records.””
“Then Daniel can handle it legally.””
“And if there's nothing there?””
Richard looked at her.
“Then we'll know if there's nothing there?””
Richard looked at her.
“Then we'll know we tried.””
Martin began making calls.
Richard moved to the windows, his phone pressed against his ear as Daniel we tried.””
Martin began making calls.
Richard moved to the windows, his phone pressed against his ear as Daniel Price answered.
“Richard, I've been trying to reach you.””
“I need you to initiate an urgent Price answered.
“Richard, I've been trying to reach you.””
“I need you to initiate an urgent records-preservation request. A hospital, two former employees, and a financial trust may be connected to the missing money.””
Daniel records-preservation request. A hospital, two former employees, and a financial trust may be connected to the missing money.””
Daniel fell silent.
“Is this about Evelyn Carter?””
Richard turned.
“How do fell silent.
“Is this about Evelyn Carter?””
Richard turned.
“How do you know that name?””
“James contacted me twenty minutes ago. He asked whether our you know that name?””
“James contacted me twenty minutes ago. He asked whether our investigators had found any connection between Whitmore Hospitality and a Northbridge Legacy Trust.””
Richard felt his stomach tighten.
“What did you tell him?””
“That I hadn't established investigators had found any connection between Whitmore Hospitality and a Northbridge Legacy Trust.””
Richard felt his stomach tighten.
“What did you tell him?””
“That I hadn't established one.””
“Tell him what we found.””
“Everything?””
“Everything.””
Daniel paused.
“Richard one.””
“Tell him what we found.””
“Everything?””
“Everything.””
Daniel paused.
“Richard, if your company authorized payments from a trust that belonged to James's mother, if your company authorized payments from a trust that belonged to James's mother, this could become a criminal investigation.””
“I understand.””
“Do you?””
Richard looked at Vanessa.
She was sitting, this could become a criminal investigation.””
“I understand.””
“Do you?””
Richard looked at Vanessa.
She was sitting motionless on the sofa, staring at the old hospital photograph.
“No,” he admitted.
“ motionless on the sofa, staring at the old hospital photograph.
“No,” he admitted.
“But I'm beginning to.””
He ended the call and walked back toward the kitchen island.
“VanBut I'm beginning to.””
He ended the call and walked back toward the kitchen island.
“Vanessa, I need the original messages from Thomas. Not screenshots. The actual messagesessa, I need the original messages from Thomas.
Not screenshots. The actual messages.””
She handed him the phone.
“Take it.””
“Are there any others?””
“Yes.””
.””
She handed him the phone.
“Take it.””
“Are there any others?””
“Yes.””
“How many?””
“Years' worth.””
Richard stopped scrolling.
“Years?””
“He“How many?””
“Years' worth.””
Richard stopped scrolling.
“Years?””
“He contacted me occasionally. Usually to tell me not to discuss the trust. Sometimes he contacted me occasionally.
Usually to tell me not to discuss the trust. Sometimes he asked me to sign documents.””
“And you did?””
“Not after the first few years asked me to sign documents.””
“And you did?””
“Not after the first few years.””
“Did you tell him no?””
“I stopped responding.””
Richard looked at the dates.
.””
“Did you tell him no?””
“I stopped responding.””
Richard looked at the dates.
Some messages were eight years old. Others were more recent. The last exchange had taken place less than twenty-four hoursSome messages were eight years old.
Others were more recent. The last exchange had taken place less than twenty-four hours earlier.
Thomas had never truly disappeared.
He had simply waited until Vanessa became useful again.
Richard opened a message from six months earlier earlier.
Thomas had never truly disappeared.
He had simply waited until Vanessa became useful again.
Richard opened a message from six months earlier.
*The restructuring is nearly complete. Make sure the final authorization is signed before the end of the month.*
.
*The restructuring is nearly complete. Make sure the final authorization is signed before the end of the month.*
Vanessa had replied:
**I told you I'm not signing anythingVanessa had replied:
*I told you I'm not signing anything else without an explanation.*
Thomas's answer was brief.
*Then perhaps James should learn why his mother trusted you.*
Richard looked else without an explanation.**
Thomas's answer was brief.
*Then perhaps James should learn why his mother trusted you.*
Richard looked up.
“What does that mean?””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“I don't know.””
“You've been communicating with this up.
“What does that mean?””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“I don't know.””
“You've been communicating with this man for years, and you don't know what he means?””
“He never explained anything. Every time I asked about man for years, and you don't know what he means?””
“He never explained anything. Every time I asked about Evelyn, he changed the subject.””
Richard scrolled further.
A message from three years earlier caught Evelyn, he changed the subject.””
Richard scrolled further.
A message from three years earlier caught his attention.
**The account must remain active until the acquisition is completed. After that, the original records his attention.
*The account must remain active until the acquisition is completed. After that, the original records can be destroyed.*
Richard read it again.
“Which acquisition?””
Vanessa can be destroyed.**
Richard read it again.
“Which acquisition?””
Vanessa leaned forward.
“Let me see.””
He turned the phone toward her.
Her expression changed.
“That leaned forward.
“Let me see.””
He turned the phone toward her.
Her expression changed.
“That was the first time he mentioned your company.””
Richard felt a cold pressure settle behind his was the first time he mentioned your company.””
Richard felt a cold pressure settle behind his ribs.
“Why didn't you show me this?””
“I didn't know what it meant.””
“You knew he was talking ribs.
“Why didn't you show me this?””
“I didn't know what it meant.””
“You knew he was talking about an acquisition.””
“I thought it was a family investment. I didn't know he was using our company.””
Martin looked about an acquisition.””
“I thought it was a family investment. I didn't know he was using our company.””
Martin looked up from his laptop.
“Richard, I found something.””
He turned the screen toward them.
An up from his laptop.
“Richard, I found something.””
He turned the screen toward them.
An archived personnel record showed a man named Peter Lawson, formerly a senior financial consultant archived personnel record showed a man named Peter Lawson, formerly a senior financial consultant at Whitmore Hospitality Group. His employment had ended following an internal investigation into unauthorized transfers.
Beside the record was a photograph.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“That isn't the at Whitmore Hospitality Group. His employment had ended following an internal investigation into unauthorized transfers.
Beside the record was a photograph.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“That isn't the man from the hospital.””
Martin shook his head.
“No. But his file lists a second employee man from the hospital.””
Martin shook his head.
“No. But his file lists a second employee as his security liaison.””
He opened another record.
A name appeared.
** as his security liaison.””
He opened another record.
A name appeared.
*Marcus Bell.*
Richard frowned.
“I remember him. He worked in corporateMarcus Bell.**
Richard frowned.
“I remember him. He worked in corporate security before moving to a private risk consultancy.””
Martin clicked security before moving to a private risk consultancy.””
Martin clicked on the profile.
Marcus had been employed by Whitmore for almost nine years. His personnel file showed on the profile.
Marcus had been employed by Whitmore for almost nine years. His personnel file showed excellent evaluations, several promotions, and a sudden resignation shortly after the internal audit that had exposed excellent evaluations, several promotions, and a sudden resignation shortly after the internal audit that had exposed Peter Lawson's irregular transactions.
The final page contained an old identification photograph.
Van Peter Lawson's irregular transactions.
The final page contained an old identification photograph.
Vanessa stood abruptly.
“That's him.””
Richard turned toward her.
“Are you sure?””
essa stood abruptly.
“That's him.””
Richard turned toward her.
“Are you sure?””
She approached the screen, her face pale.
“The scar. It's right there.””
AShe approached the screen, her face pale.
“The scar. It's right there.””
A thin mark ran from the man's left ear toward his jaw.
Martin leaned back.
“Marcus thin mark ran from the man's left ear toward his jaw.
Martin leaned back.
“Marcus Bell was assigned to executive security on the night Evelyn Carter died.””
Richard stared at the Bell was assigned to executive security on the night Evelyn Carter died.””
Richard stared at the screen.
“Why?””
“His work log says he was assigned to a private client.””
“Which screen.
“Why?””
“His work log says he was assigned to a private client.””
“Which client?””
Martin opened the attached report.
The field had been left blank.
Richard's jaw client?””
Martin opened the attached report.
The field had been left blank.
Richard's jaw tightened.
“Who authorized the assignment?””
Martin clicked through the approval history.
Then he stopped.
The authorization had been tightened.
“Who authorized the assignment?””
Martin clicked through the approval history.
Then he stopped.
The authorization had been entered under Richard's own executive credentials.
Richard gripped the edge of the island.
“I didn't authorize this.””
Martin looked at him carefully entered under Richard's own executive credentials.
Richard gripped the edge of the island.
“I didn't authorize this.””
Martin looked at him carefully.
“Someone used your account.””
“Can you trace the login?””
“The original server.
“Someone used your account.””
“Can you trace the login?””
“The original server was decommissioned. But was decommissioned. But I may be able to recover the audit archive.””
“Do it.””
Vanessa was staring at the photograph.
“Marcus knew Thomas,” she whispered.
Richard turned toward her.
“How do you know?””
“ I may be able to recover the audit archive.””
“Do it.””
Vanessa was staring at the photograph.
“Marcus knew Thomas,” she whispered.
Richard turned toward her.
“How do you know?””
“Because when I saw him in the hallway, Thomas was speaking to him. They weren't arguing. They looked like they hadBecause when I saw him in the hallway, Thomas was speaking to him.
They weren't arguing. They looked like they had been working together for a long time.””
Martin took a photograph of the screen with his phone.
“I'm been working together for a long time.””
Martin took a photograph of the screen with his phone.
“I'm sending this to Daniel.””
“No,” sending this to Daniel.””
“No,” Richard said.
Martin paused.
“Why not?””
“Because if someone is watching James, we don't know who else has access to our systems. Send it through the secure legal channel. Richard said.
Martin paused.
“Why not?””
“Because if someone is watching James, we don't know who else has access to our systems. Send it through the secure legal channel. Nothing through company email.””
Martin nodded.
Richard picked up his jacket.
“I'm going to Carter Capital.””
Vanessa stood.
“Richard, Nothing through company email.””
Martin nodded.
Richard picked up his jacket.
“I'm going to Carter Capital.””
Vanessa stood.
“Richard, wait.””
He looked at her.
“I need to speak to James before someone else reaches him.””
“You think he'll listen to you?””
“No.””
“ wait.””
He looked at her.
“I need to speak to James before someone else reaches him.””
“You think he'll listen to you?””
“No.””
“Then why go?””
Richard glanced at the photograph of Marcus Bell.
“Because I owe him theThen why go?””
Richard glanced at the photograph of Marcus Bell.
“Because I owe him the truth, whether he wants to hear it or not.””
At Carter Capital, James stood in a conference room while two forensic accountants examined a truth, whether he wants to hear it or not.””
At Carter Capital, James stood in a conference room while two forensic accountants examined a series of financial records.
A large display showed the movement of money between Northbridge Legacy Trust series of financial records.
A large display showed the movement of money between Northbridge Legacy Trust, Meridian Advisory, and several holding companies connected to Whitmore Hospitality.
The pattern was complicated, but the direction was becoming, Meridian Advisory, and several holding companies connected to Whitmore Hospitality.
The pattern was complicated, but the direction was becoming clear.
Money entered through one account, passed through another, and disappeared into a network of companies clear.
Money entered through one account, passed through another, and disappeared into a network of companies whose ownership records were deliberately difficult to trace.
James pointed to a transfer.
“What's whose ownership records were deliberately difficult to trace.
James pointed to a transfer.
“What's this payment?””
The lead accountant, Denise Walker, enlarged the record.
“An administrative fee. this payment?””
The lead accountant, Denise Walker, enlarged the record.
“An administrative fee. Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.””
“Paid to whom?””
“Meridian Advisory.””
“Who Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.””
“Paid to whom?””
“Meridian Advisory.””
“Who owns it?””
“We're still tracing the ownership chain. But we've found a connection owns it?””
“We're still tracing the ownership chain. But we've found a connection to Peter Lawson.””
James folded his arms.
“Richard's former consultant.””
“Yes. Lawson resigned after to Peter Lawson.””
James folded his arms.
“Richard's former consultant.””
“Yes. Lawson resigned after an internal audit. His company continued receiving payments after he left.””
“How much?””
“Approximately $1.1 million an internal audit. His company continued receiving payments after he left.””
“How much?””
“Approximately $1.1 million over four years.””
James looked at the next line.
“And the beneficiary?””
Den over four years.””
James looked at the next line.
“And the beneficiary?””
Denise hesitated.
“The records suggest some of the funds were transferred into a separateise hesitated.
“The records suggest some of the funds were transferred into a separate account controlled by a person identified only as M. Bell.””
James's eyes narrowed.
“ account controlled by a person identified only as M. Bell.””
James's eyes narrowed.
“Marcus Bell?””
Denise looked up.
“You know him?””
“No. But I intend to.””
The conference room door opened.
OliviaMarcus Bell?””
Denise looked up.
“You know him?””
“No. But I intend to.””
The conference room door opened.
Olivia entered carrying her tablet.
“James, Richard Whitmore is downstairs. entered carrying her tablet.
“James, Richard Whitmore is downstairs. He says he has information about Evelyn Carter.””
James didn't move.
“Did he say what He says he has information about Evelyn Carter.””
James didn't move.
“Did he say what information?””
“He says he found a former security employee who was at the hospital the night she died.””
James information?””
“He says he found a former security employee who was at the hospital the night she died.””
James turned toward the window.
For eight years, he had lived with unanswered questions about his mother's turned toward the window.
For eight years, he had lived with unanswered questions about his mother's final hours. He had assumed that whatever happened at the hospital had been ordinary, tragic final hours. He had assumed that whatever happened at the hospital had been ordinary, tragic, and beyond anyone's control.
Now he was learning that strangers had entered her room, money, and beyond anyone's control.
Now he was learning that strangers had entered her room, money had moved in her name, and someone had used his mother's death to conceal a financial arrangement.
“Bring him up,” James had moved in her name, and someone had used his mother's death to conceal a financial arrangement.
“Bring him up,” James said.
Olivia hesitated.
“Do you want security present?””
“No. But make sure the visitors said.
Olivia hesitated.
“Do you want security present?””
“No. But make sure the visitors' entrance is monitored.””
She left.
James looked at Denise.
“Preserve everything' entrance is monitored.””
She left.
James looked at Denise.
“Preserve everything. No direct contact with the suspects until our attorneys approve. No direct contact with the suspects until our attorneys approve it.””
“Understood.””
He closed the financial report.
Then he walked into his private office and waited.
Richard arrived it.””
“Understood.””
He closed the financial report.
Then he walked into his private office and waited.
Richard arrived three minutes later.
He looked as though he hadn't slept in days.
“James.””
James remained three minutes later.
He looked as though he hadn't slept in days.
“James.””
James remained seated.
“Richard.””
Richard held out a folder.
“I brought the personnel records, the old security assignment seated.
“Richard.””
Richard held out a folder.
“I brought the personnel records, the old security assignment, and the messages Vanessa received from Thomas.””
James looked at the folder but didn't take it.
“Why should, and the messages Vanessa received from Thomas.””
James looked at the folder but didn't take it.
“Why should I believe anything you bring me?””
“You shouldn't. Not without verification.””
That I believe anything you bring me?””
“You shouldn't. Not without verification.””
That answer seemed to surprise James.
Richard placed the folder on the desk.
“I let Vanessa humiliate you yesterday. I stood there because I wanted the investment answer seemed to surprise James.
Richard placed the folder on the desk.
“I let Vanessa humiliate you yesterday. I stood there because I wanted the investment. I told myself that keeping the peace was more important than doing the right thing.””
James's expression remained unchanged.
“Is. I told myself that keeping the peace was more important than doing the right thing.””
James's expression remained unchanged.
“Is this an apology?””
“It's the truth.””
“Those aren't always the same thing.””
Richard nodded this an apology?””
“It's the truth.””
“Those aren't always the same thing.””
Richard nodded.
“I know.””
James opened the folder.
The first page showed Marcus Bell's photograph.
For a fraction.
“I know.””
James opened the folder.
The first page showed Marcus Bell's photograph.
For a fraction of a second, James's face lost its composure.
He recognized the man.
Not from the hospital.
From a different place.
A memory surfaced of a second, James's face lost its composure.
He recognized the man.
Not from the hospital.
From a different place.
A memory surfaced: his mother's funeral, the cold rain, the line of mourners standing beneath black umbrellas. A: his mother's funeral, the cold rain, the line of mourners standing beneath black umbrellas. A tall man in a dark suit had remained across the street throughout the service, watching without approaching.
tall man in a dark suit had remained across the street throughout the service, watching without approaching.
James had assumed he was a distant acquaintance.
Now he saw the scar beside the man's left ear.
“WhereJames had assumed he was a distant acquaintance.
Now he saw the scar beside the man's left ear.
“Where did you get this?””
“Martin found it in our archived personnel records.””
“Why was he assigned to my mother's hospital?””
“We did you get this?””
“Martin found it in our archived personnel records.””
“Why was he assigned to my mother's hospital?””
“We don't know yet.””
James turned another page.
The authorization bore his company's former security department don't know yet.””
James turned another page.
The authorization bore his company's former security department stamp, followed by Richard's executive approval code.
“Did you authorize this?””
“No.””
stamp, followed by Richard's executive approval code.
“Did you authorize this?””
“No.””
“Did you know Marcus Bell?””
“I knew his name. He worked for our security department“Did you know Marcus Bell?””
“I knew his name. He worked for our security department. I never assigned him to anything personally.””
James closed the folder.
“Then someone. I never assigned him to anything personally.””
James closed the folder.
“Then someone used your credentials.””
“That appears to be the case.””
James stood.
“Do you understand used your credentials.””
“That appears to be the case.””
James stood.
“Do you understand what this means, Richard?””
Richard swallowed.
“I think so.””
“No. You think your company might what this means, Richard?””
Richard swallowed.
“I think so.””
“No. You think your company might lose its financing. You think your employees might lose their jobs. Those are real problems.””
James stepped around the desk.
“My mother was dying lose its financing. You think your employees might lose their jobs. Those are real problems.””
James stepped around the desk.
“My mother was dying in a hospital bed, and someone decided her final hours were useful to them. Someone in a hospital bed, and someone decided her final hours were useful to them. Someone entered that room under false pretenses.
Someone moved money in her name. And someone made sure I never learned why.””
Richard lowered his head.
“I am sorry.””
James stared entered that room under false pretenses. Someone moved money in her name. And someone made sure I never learned why.””
Richard lowered his head.
“I am sorry.””
James stared at him.
“Sorry won't bring her back.””
“I know.””
“Then tell me something at him.
“Sorry won't bring her back.””
“I know.””
“Then tell me something useful. Who sent you the hospital photograph?””
“An unknown number.””
“ useful. Who sent you the hospital photograph?””
“An unknown number.””
“Did you call it back?””
“Yes.””
“What did the caller say?””
Richard hesitatedDid you call it back?””
“Yes.””
“What did the caller say?””
Richard hesitated.
“He told me to stop asking questions about your mother.””
James's eyes hardened.
“And you came.
“He told me to stop asking questions about your mother.””
James's eyes hardened.
“And you came here anyway.””
“Yes.””
For the first time, James looked at him with something other than here anyway.””
“Yes.””
For the first time, James looked at him with something other than contempt.
Not trust.
Not forgiveness.
Recognition.
“You may contempt.
Not trust.
Not forgiveness.
Recognition.
“You may be telling the truth,” James said.
“But that doesn't mean you're innocent.””
“I understand.””
James picked be telling the truth,” James said.
“But that doesn't mean you're innocent.””
“I understand.””
James picked up the photograph.
“Find Marcus Bell.””
Richard nodded.
“I'll do everything I up the photograph.
“Find Marcus Bell.””
Richard nodded.
“I'll do everything I can.””
“No. You'll do everything the law requires. And you'll preserve every record your company has can.””
“No. You'll do everything the law requires. And you'll preserve every record your company has connected to these payments.””
“Agreed.””
James handed the photograph to connected to these payments.””
“Agreed.””
James handed the photograph to Olivia, who had entered quietly during the conversation.
“Send this to our investigators.””
She Olivia, who had entered quietly during the conversation.
“Send this to our investigators.””
She took it.
Then her phone rang.
She listened for several seconds, her expression tightening.
James watched took it.
Then her phone rang.
She listened for several seconds, her expression tightening.
James watched her.
“What is it?””
Olivia covered the microphone.
“Marcus Bell's consultancy has her.
“What is it?””
Olivia covered the microphone.
“Marcus Bell's consultancy has just filed for dissolution.””
Richard went pale.
“That's impossible. We only just filed for dissolution.””
Richard went pale.
“That's impossible. We only identified him twenty minutes ago.””
Olivia returned to the call.
Then she looked directly at James.
“ identified him twenty minutes ago.””
Olivia returned to the call.
Then she looked directly at James.
“There's something else. His registered address is a vacant office building. ButThere's something else.
His registered address is a vacant office building. But a neighboring business reports that a man matching his description left there a neighboring business reports that a man matching his description left there less than an hour ago.””
“Where did less than an hour ago.””
“Where did he go?”” James asked.
Olivia listened again.
Then she lowered the phone.
“To the cemetery where Evelyn Carter is buried.””
James went completely still.
Because the cemetery he go?”” James asked.
Olivia listened again.
Then she lowered the phone.
“To the cemetery where Evelyn Carter is buried.””
James went completely still.
Because the cemetery was twenty miles away.
And Marcus Bell had no reason to visit his mother's grave.
Unless he was going was twenty miles away.
And Marcus Bell had no reason to visit his mother's grave.
Unless he was going there to destroy something.
Or retrieve something.
James grabbed his jacket.
“Get the car.””
Richard there to destroy something.
Or retrieve something.
James grabbed his jacket.
“Get the car.””
Richard moved toward the door.
“I'm coming with you.””
James stopped him with a look.
“Don't mistake moved toward the door.
“I'm coming with you.””
James stopped him with a look.
“Don't mistake the fact that I'm allowing you to help for forgiveness.””
Richard nodded.
“I the fact that I'm allowing you to help for forgiveness.””
Richard nodded.
“I won't.””
They left the office together.
But neither man noticed the security camera won't.””
They left the office together.
But neither man noticed the security camera above the elevator recording their departure.
And neither knew that, somewhere above the elevator recording their departure.
And neither knew that, somewhere across the city, a man with a scar beside his left ear had just received a message.
**They're across the city, a man with a scar beside his left ear had just received a message.
*They're coming. Leave the grave untouched.*
Marcus read it once.
Then he looked coming. Leave the grave untouched.**
Marcus read it once.
Then he looked down at the small metal box in his hand.
“No,” he whispered.
“Not this time.””
He opened down at the small metal box in his hand.
“No,” he whispered.
“Not this time.””
He opened his coat, placed the box inside, and walked toward the cemetery gates.
Behind him, his his coat, placed the box inside, and walked toward the cemetery gates.
Behind him, his phone vibrated again.
**If James sees what's inside, the truth about his phone vibrated again.
*If James sees what's inside, the truth about his father comes out.*
Marcus stopped walking.
For the first time in eight years, he looked afraid father comes out.**
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Marcus stopped walking.
For the first time in eight years, he looked afraid.
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